RESEARCH PROJECTS

Restoring the colour to Ashmolean Museum statues

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Dr John Naylor excavating with the Portable Antiquities Scheme on the site of an Iron Age hoard in Shropshire.

The Ashmolean is dedicated to the use of material evidence to further the understanding of art, archaeology and history. The Museum is a research institution in its own right, but also an important facilitator of research for the academic divisions of the University of Oxford and for scholars worldwide.

As a university museum, the Ashmolean seeks to provide intellectual leadership in scholarship and research relating to areas covered by its collections. The research priorities arise from the nature of the collections, but are not confined to the collections themselves. The scope of current research includes historical, material and intellectual context, the history of collecting, the conservation and scientific analysis of the collections, as well as museology.

'Social Animals' Live Friday event at the Ashmolean Museum

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH RESEARCH

As a university museum with research at the heart of our activity, the Ashmolean is committed to a culture of two-way communication between our researchers and our audiences. We achieve this by showcasing our research within our exhibitions and displays, and through public talks, schools visits and events. The Ashmolean and the University of Oxford work together closely on public engagement with research.

A NEW LINE FROM ROME TO LONDON

The letters of Charles Willes Wilshere to Giovanni Battista de Rossi

Allectus coin from the Berkshire Downs in Oxfordshire

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS ON THE BERKSHIRE DOWNS

Following the discovery on the Berkshire Downs of around 2,000 artefacts dating from the Iron Age and Roman periods, this project is analysing these finds to reveal new information about the nature and function of this potentially important site.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL PLASTER CASTS

Archaeological plaster casts have had a tumultuous history and have long been viewed as inauthentic mechanical reproductions. Investigating the idea of ‘authenticity’ this project will contribute new ways of thinking about copies and replicas in museums.

Crates of archaeological finds from excavations in the Fayum

ARTEFACTS OF EXCAVATION

Between 1880 and 1980, hundreds of thousands of Egyptian artefacts were distributed to an estimated 350 institutions around the world. Tracing the movement of this material, this project aims to relocate and re-contextualize these dispersed collections.

John Ruskin, Study of Dawn: Purple Clouds

CHROMOTOPE

Chromotope explores what happened to colour in the 19th century, and notably how the ‘chromatic turn’ of the 1850s mapped out new ways of thinking about colour in literature, art, science and technology throughout Europe.

COIN HOARDS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Thousands of coin hoards have been discovered throughout the geographical area that once constituted the Roman Empire. Documenting hoards dating from 30 BC to AD 400, the project will provide the foundations for a systematic Empire-wide study.

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research Pottery finds from the Berkshire Downs at the Ashmolean

EARLY CAREER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Find out more about research opportunities at the Museum and how to apply for funding.

LEARN MORE

These pages provide information on our current research projects, publications, research partnerships and profiles of our research team. For more information about Ashmolean research, please contact our Research and Impact Manager, Dr Harriet Warburton, or Research and Impact Support Officer, Dr Emma Webster. To discuss research related to a particular subject area, please contact the relevant member of curatorial staff or department.

Dr Harriet Warburton, Research and Impact Manager: harriet.warburton@glam.ox.ac.uk, +44 (0)1865 278068

Dr Emma Webster, Research and Impact Support Officer: emma.webster@glam.ox.ac.uk, +44 (0)1865 282929